Perri Carlson-Hawke
Clinical and metabolic psychologist
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind—how we think, feel and behave, and how these patterns shape our lives. But what really captured my attention was how much our bodies influence our mental health.
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind—how we think, feel and behave, and how these patterns shape our lives. But what really captured my attention was how much our bodies influence our mental health.
I began my career following a fairly traditional path in psychology. After completing my Honours in Psychology at Charles Sturt University in Orange, I went on to study Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney and later earned my Master of Clinical Psychology. Over the years, I worked with individuals and groups experiencing a range of conditions—depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders—using evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and exposure therapies.
But I often felt that something was missing. Many of my clients were doing “all the right things”—they were engaged in therapy, taking their medication, and practising coping strategies—yet their recovery felt partial. That’s when I began exploring the role of metabolic health in mental health.
I was introduced to the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which examines how diet, insulin resistance and mitochondrial function affect brain health. It completely changed how I viewed mental illness. I learned that by addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction—through nutritional and lifestyle interventions—we can often reduce symptoms of conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD and binge-eating disorder.
That’s when I began training in ketogenic metabolic therapy, and I’ve since seen incredible transformations in clients who’ve integrated these principles. People who had struggled for years with mood instability or disordered eating began to experience calm, clarity and control—often for the first time in decades.
For me, this work is about empowerment. I want people to understand that their brain is not broken. In many cases, it’s simply underpowered or inflamed, and by restoring metabolic balance, we can restore hope.
Today, I continue to work with both individuals and organisations to support better mental health through a whole-body approach. I’ve designed and delivered workshops for companies including BHP Billiton, David Jones, Life Without Barriers, House With No Steps and Transfield Services, helping teams build resilience and self-awareness.
My mission is to bridge the gap between psychology and physiology—to bring the science of metabolic psychiatry into mainstream mental health care, and to help people realise that healing isn’t just in the mind, but in the body too
I began my career following a fairly traditional path in psychology. After completing my Honours in Psychology at Charles Sturt University in Orange, I went on to study Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney and later earned my Master of Clinical Psychology. Over the years, I worked with individuals and groups experiencing a range of conditions—depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders—using evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and exposure therapies.
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind—how we think, feel and behave, and how these patterns shape our lives. But what really captured my attention was how much our bodies influence our mental health.
I began my career following a fairly traditional path in psychology. After completing my Honours in Psychology at Charles Sturt University in Orange, I went on to study Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney and later earned my Master of Clinical Psychology. Over the years, I worked with individuals and groups experiencing a range of conditions—depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders—using evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and exposure therapies.
But I often felt that something was missing. Many of my clients were doing “all the right things”—they were engaged in therapy, taking their medication, and practising coping strategies—yet their recovery felt partial. That’s when I began exploring the role of metabolic health in mental health.
I was introduced to the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which examines how diet, insulin resistance and mitochondrial function affect brain health. It completely changed how I viewed mental illness. I learned that by addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction—through nutritional and lifestyle interventions—we can often reduce symptoms of conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD and binge-eating disorder.
That’s when I began training in ketogenic metabolic therapy, and I’ve since seen incredible transformations in clients who’ve integrated these principles. People who had struggled for years with mood instability or disordered eating began to experience calm, clarity and control—often for the first time in decades.
For me, this work is about empowerment. I want people to understand that their brain is not broken. In many cases, it’s simply underpowered or inflamed, and by restoring metabolic balance, we can restore hope.
Today, I continue to work with both individuals and organisations to support better mental health through a whole-body approach. I’ve designed and delivered workshops for companies including BHP Billiton, David Jones, Life Without Barriers, House With No Steps and Transfield Services, helping teams build resilience and self-awareness.
My mission is to bridge the gap between psychology and physiology—to bring the science of metabolic psychiatry into mainstream mental health care, and to help people realise that healing isn’t just in the mind, but in the body too
But I often felt that something was missing. Many of my clients were doing “all the right things”—they were engaged in therapy, taking their medication, and practising coping strategies—yet their recovery felt partial. That’s when I began exploring the role of metabolic health in mental health.
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind—how we think, feel and behave, and how these patterns shape our lives. But what really captured my attention was how much our bodies influence our mental health.
I began my career following a fairly traditional path in psychology. After completing my Honours in Psychology at Charles Sturt University in Orange, I went on to study Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney and later earned my Master of Clinical Psychology. Over the years, I worked with individuals and groups experiencing a range of conditions—depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders—using evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and exposure therapies.
But I often felt that something was missing. Many of my clients were doing “all the right things”—they were engaged in therapy, taking their medication, and practising coping strategies—yet their recovery felt partial. That’s when I began exploring the role of metabolic health in mental health.
I was introduced to the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which examines how diet, insulin resistance and mitochondrial function affect brain health. It completely changed how I viewed mental illness. I learned that by addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction—through nutritional and lifestyle interventions—we can often reduce symptoms of conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD and binge-eating disorder.
That’s when I began training in ketogenic metabolic therapy, and I’ve since seen incredible transformations in clients who’ve integrated these principles. People who had struggled for years with mood instability or disordered eating began to experience calm, clarity and control—often for the first time in decades.
For me, this work is about empowerment. I want people to understand that their brain is not broken. In many cases, it’s simply underpowered or inflamed, and by restoring metabolic balance, we can restore hope.
Today, I continue to work with both individuals and organisations to support better mental health through a whole-body approach. I’ve designed and delivered workshops for companies including BHP Billiton, David Jones, Life Without Barriers, House With No Steps and Transfield Services, helping teams build resilience and self-awareness.
My mission is to bridge the gap between psychology and physiology—to bring the science of metabolic psychiatry into mainstream mental health care, and to help people realise that healing isn’t just in the mind, but in the body too
I was introduced to the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which examines how diet, insulin resistance and mitochondrial function affect brain health. It completely changed how I viewed mental illness. I learned that by addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction—through nutritional and lifestyle interventions—we can often reduce symptoms of conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD and binge-eating disorder.
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind—how we think, feel and behave, and how these patterns shape our lives. But what really captured my attention was how much our bodies influence our mental health.
I began my career following a fairly traditional path in psychology. After completing my Honours in Psychology at Charles Sturt University in Orange, I went on to study Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney and later earned my Master of Clinical Psychology. Over the years, I worked with individuals and groups experiencing a range of conditions—depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders—using evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and exposure therapies.
But I often felt that something was missing. Many of my clients were doing “all the right things”—they were engaged in therapy, taking their medication, and practising coping strategies—yet their recovery felt partial. That’s when I began exploring the role of metabolic health in mental health.
I was introduced to the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which examines how diet, insulin resistance and mitochondrial function affect brain health. It completely changed how I viewed mental illness. I learned that by addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction—through nutritional and lifestyle interventions—we can often reduce symptoms of conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD and binge-eating disorder.
That’s when I began training in ketogenic metabolic therapy, and I’ve since seen incredible transformations in clients who’ve integrated these principles. People who had struggled for years with mood instability or disordered eating began to experience calm, clarity and control—often for the first time in decades.
For me, this work is about empowerment. I want people to understand that their brain is not broken. In many cases, it’s simply underpowered or inflamed, and by restoring metabolic balance, we can restore hope.
Today, I continue to work with both individuals and organisations to support better mental health through a whole-body approach. I’ve designed and delivered workshops for companies including BHP Billiton, David Jones, Life Without Barriers, House With No Steps and Transfield Services, helping teams build resilience and self-awareness.
My mission is to bridge the gap between psychology and physiology—to bring the science of metabolic psychiatry into mainstream mental health care, and to help people realise that healing isn’t just in the mind, but in the body too
That’s when I began training in ketogenic metabolic therapy, and I’ve since seen incredible transformations in clients who’ve integrated these principles. People who had struggled for years with mood instability or disordered eating began to experience calm, clarity and control—often for the first time in decades.
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind—how we think, feel and behave, and how these patterns shape our lives. But what really captured my attention was how much our bodies influence our mental health.
I began my career following a fairly traditional path in psychology. After completing my Honours in Psychology at Charles Sturt University in Orange, I went on to study Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney and later earned my Master of Clinical Psychology. Over the years, I worked with individuals and groups experiencing a range of conditions—depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders—using evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and exposure therapies.
But I often felt that something was missing. Many of my clients were doing “all the right things”—they were engaged in therapy, taking their medication, and practising coping strategies—yet their recovery felt partial. That’s when I began exploring the role of metabolic health in mental health.
I was introduced to the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which examines how diet, insulin resistance and mitochondrial function affect brain health. It completely changed how I viewed mental illness. I learned that by addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction—through nutritional and lifestyle interventions—we can often reduce symptoms of conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD and binge-eating disorder.
That’s when I began training in ketogenic metabolic therapy, and I’ve since seen incredible transformations in clients who’ve integrated these principles. People who had struggled for years with mood instability or disordered eating began to experience calm, clarity and control—often for the first time in decades.
For me, this work is about empowerment. I want people to understand that their brain is not broken. In many cases, it’s simply underpowered or inflamed, and by restoring metabolic balance, we can restore hope.
Today, I continue to work with both individuals and organisations to support better mental health through a whole-body approach. I’ve designed and delivered workshops for companies including BHP Billiton, David Jones, Life Without Barriers, House With No Steps and Transfield Services, helping teams build resilience and self-awareness.
My mission is to bridge the gap between psychology and physiology—to bring the science of metabolic psychiatry into mainstream mental health care, and to help people realise that healing isn’t just in the mind, but in the body too
For me, this work is about empowerment. I want people to understand that their brain is not broken. In many cases, it’s simply underpowered or inflamed, and by restoring metabolic balance, we can restore hope.
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind—how we think, feel and behave, and how these patterns shape our lives. But what really captured my attention was how much our bodies influence our mental health.
I began my career following a fairly traditional path in psychology. After completing my Honours in Psychology at Charles Sturt University in Orange, I went on to study Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney and later earned my Master of Clinical Psychology. Over the years, I worked with individuals and groups experiencing a range of conditions—depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders—using evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and exposure therapies.
But I often felt that something was missing. Many of my clients were doing “all the right things”—they were engaged in therapy, taking their medication, and practising coping strategies—yet their recovery felt partial. That’s when I began exploring the role of metabolic health in mental health.
I was introduced to the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which examines how diet, insulin resistance and mitochondrial function affect brain health. It completely changed how I viewed mental illness. I learned that by addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction—through nutritional and lifestyle interventions—we can often reduce symptoms of conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD and binge-eating disorder.
That’s when I began training in ketogenic metabolic therapy, and I’ve since seen incredible transformations in clients who’ve integrated these principles. People who had struggled for years with mood instability or disordered eating began to experience calm, clarity and control—often for the first time in decades.
For me, this work is about empowerment. I want people to understand that their brain is not broken. In many cases, it’s simply underpowered or inflamed, and by restoring metabolic balance, we can restore hope.
Today, I continue to work with both individuals and organisations to support better mental health through a whole-body approach. I’ve designed and delivered workshops for companies including BHP Billiton, David Jones, Life Without Barriers, House With No Steps and Transfield Services, helping teams build resilience and self-awareness.
My mission is to bridge the gap between psychology and physiology—to bring the science of metabolic psychiatry into mainstream mental health care, and to help people realise that healing isn’t just in the mind, but in the body too
Today, I continue to work with both individuals and organisations to support better mental health through a whole-body approach. I’ve designed and delivered workshops for companies including BHP Billiton, David Jones, Life Without Barriers, House With No Steps and Transfield Services, helping teams build resilience and self-awareness.
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind—how we think, feel and behave, and how these patterns shape our lives. But what really captured my attention was how much our bodies influence our mental health.
I began my career following a fairly traditional path in psychology. After completing my Honours in Psychology at Charles Sturt University in Orange, I went on to study Coaching Psychology at the University of Sydney and later earned my Master of Clinical Psychology. Over the years, I worked with individuals and groups experiencing a range of conditions—depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders—using evidence-based therapies such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and exposure therapies.
But I often felt that something was missing. Many of my clients were doing “all the right things”—they were engaged in therapy, taking their medication, and practising coping strategies—yet their recovery felt partial. That’s when I began exploring the role of metabolic health in mental health.
I was introduced to the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which examines how diet, insulin resistance and mitochondrial function affect brain health. It completely changed how I viewed mental illness. I learned that by addressing the underlying metabolic dysfunction—through nutritional and lifestyle interventions—we can often reduce symptoms of conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD and binge-eating disorder.
That’s when I began training in ketogenic metabolic therapy, and I’ve since seen incredible transformations in clients who’ve integrated these principles. People who had struggled for years with mood instability or disordered eating began to experience calm, clarity and control—often for the first time in decades.
For me, this work is about empowerment. I want people to understand that their brain is not broken. In many cases, it’s simply underpowered or inflamed, and by restoring metabolic balance, we can restore hope.
Today, I continue to work with both individuals and organisations to support better mental health through a whole-body approach. I’ve designed and delivered workshops for companies including BHP Billiton, David Jones, Life Without Barriers, House With No Steps and Transfield Services, helping teams build resilience and self-awareness.
My mission is to bridge the gap between psychology and physiology—to bring the science of metabolic psychiatry into mainstream mental health care, and to help people realise that healing isn’t just in the mind, but in the body too
My mission is to bridge the gap between psychology and physiology—to bring the science of metabolic psychiatry into mainstream mental health care, and to help people realise that healing isn’t just in the mind, but in the body too
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